Substances that enhance human health and wellbeing can be discovered in all sorts of odd places. Take conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), for example. This unique fatty acid -- currently under intense study as an aid to help dieters reduce body fat -- was first isolated from grilled ground beef in the early 1980s by researchers at the University of Wisconsin. (CLA is also found in dairy foods.) Something found in hamburger that may actually help you slim down? Who knew?
What's more, CLA (now generally derived from plant sources like safflower oil) also shows promise in two important areas. First, evidence suggest it can slow down some of the steps in cancer's complex progression. In addition, CLA may help tame excess inflamation.
